Hoyer Statement on New GI Bill

For Immediate Release:

August 3, 2009

Contact:Katie GrantStephanie Lundberg(202) 225 - 3130

WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today as the new GI Bill goes into effect. This bill makes available a full undergraduate education at an in-state, public university at no cost to veterans, service members, and members of the Reserve or Guard:

“Today marks the beginning of a new, richly-deserved opportunity for our service members and veterans. The new GI Bill that takes effect today is modeled after the GI bill that sent our World War II veterans to college. Back then, it gave many an opportunity they wouldn’t have had otherwise, and made them the backbone that formed America’s middle class. Today’s veterans deserve the same kinds of opportunities for success.

“With the new GI bill, this nation demonstrates our profound gratitude for our service members who answered the call to serve after 9/11. For years those service members and their families have had an enormous burden placed on them; giving them access to higher education is just one small way our nation can thank them for their sacrifice.”